As we investigate Titus in the Scriptures we find, as with Timothy, there is little to be known of him. Unlike Timothy however, Titus was a Greek with no Jewish heritage; and also unlike Timothy, Paul did not circumcise him. Since Paul was separated for the purpose of preaching salvation by faith unto the Gentiles, it is evident that Titus was a convert during the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas. Paul brought Titus with him to the council in Jerusalem. The purpose for this council was in part; to decide the requirements for Gentile converts to Christianity. Can Gentiles be saved? Is the Gospel available to them? What rules or laws should there be to govern their salvation?Some were of the opinion that these Gentiles must be circumcised. Paul vehemently opposed this showing that it is now a circumcision of the heart, and not of the flesh. It is an inward change through an inward relationship with God by faith, not an outward show of works. (c.f. Gal. 2:1-10)
Such questions plagued this infant assembly of believers as they were trying to find the will of God in the early church. It takes some imagination to understand the difficulties some of these questions were causing the leaders of this beginning band of believers. For the past four thousand years—all throughout Jewish history—the mindset of the Jew was ingrained with the singular fact of their own relationship with God as a chosen people to the exclusion of all other nations. Now, these leaders are faced with a changing of order in the process of God—a New Covenant! This New Covenant, this New Order, this New Way is to mark a new step in how man deals with God, and how God deals with man. And it is the order of this New Covenant that had to be worked out in the Church.
As I consider this young convert named Titus, I cannot help but wonder what was on his mind as he was made such an integral part of this process. In contrast, we have had two thousand years of church history with which we can look back and study the effects of the decisions that were made. But here, we see Titus was brought to Jerusalem, and as a new Gentile convert to Christianity, was used by Paul as an example of salvation by faith alone, and not the works of the flesh through circumcision.
Whatever the thoughts Titus may have had about his involvement with Paul, and his conversion to this new sect of Christianity, Titus showed himself to be a man of integrity, and faith, for he remained true to the Lord, and became a vital help to Paul in preaching the Good News of the Gospel during future journeys.
Titus apparently traveled and worked with Paul on his second and third missionary journeys, and Paul described him as "my partner and fellow worker" (2 Cor. 8:23) and "my true child in a common faith" (Titus 1:4). The most difficult assignment Paul gave to Titus was to deal with the church at Corinth.
Paul, in writing his second letter to the Corinthians in chapter 2:13, expressed his concern about their faith, having sent Titus to them, and not having heard back from Titus when he expected, how the Corinthians had received his earlier rebuke. Paul then writes in the same letter in chapter 7:6, how consoled he was by the coming of Titus to Macedonia. Not in his coming only, but also of the good report he was able to give Paul concerning the earnest desire, and fervent mind of the Corinthians towards Paul, and the refreshing spirit they imparted to Titus when he visited them. (vs. 13,14).
While we may cite the character of both Titus and Timothy as being full of integrity and honor, faithful and upright, one factor consistently becomes evident throughout Paul’s letters. Paul shows by the example of his relationship with them that worked with him, what those in the ministry would do well to follow. That is, that as a missionary leader, Paul was able to "stir up" the gifts God had imparted within his fellow workers. A shepherd is to lead his flock—not drive them!
Paul was not looking for his own glory. He was not out to make a name for himself. But rather, he wrote: "But all these [gifts] worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will. For as the body is one, and hath many members and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ." (I Cor. 12:11,12). Paul shows that we all are members of the body of Christ, and as such we have each been given different gifts in the body to provide for the whole what is needed.
Paul was able to recognize that he could not do everything alone, nor should he do it all alone. God has provided him with others, also called and gifted of God, to be in harmony with him along the way. Paul did, just as any Pastor should. By recognizing the calling God has placed in the lives of his fellow workers, and then most importantly, "fathering" them to maturity, he was able to send them out to carry on the work of the ministry in his stead.
Therefore, whether we are separated unto the preaching of the Gospel in a pastoral ministry, or sent to foreign lands as a missionary; whether we are given much to do, or just a little; whether we are a Timothy, a Titus, or a Paul; whatever our calling, let us do so with faithfulness unto the Lord, that which He has given us to do, for His Glory, His Honor, as members of His corporate Body in the earth.
AMEN.
